Latest news with #Scientists
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- General
- Gizmodo
Worrying Covid-19 Variant Hits the U.S. Just in Time for Summer
A new variant of covid-19, NB.1.8.1, is stirring up trouble. The variant, already linked to recent surges in parts of Asia, has now been spotted in the U.S. as well. The World Health Organization singled out the growing emergence of NB.1.8.1 in its latest status report on covid-19 Wednesday. Scientists have also recently detected NB.1.8.1 in California and other states. Though NB.1.8.1 isn't dramatically different from existing variants, the WHO warns that covid-19 remains a high public health risk. So far, fewer than 20 NB.1.8.1 cases in the U.S. have been reported, the CDC told NBC News this past Wednesday. But the variant is linked to a spike in cases and hospitalizations in other countries like China. And compared to other current variants, NB.1.8.1 may possess some mutations that could increase its transmissibility. The WHO first recognized NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring last week, though it was first detected in late January. More recently, it's become an increasing threat. As of mid-May, just about 10% of all cases reported worldwide to the WHO have come from NB.1.8.1 (up from 2% just four weeks earlier). Covid-19 activity in general has been on the upswing, with a worldwide test positivity rate of 11% as of May 11—a level not seen since July 2024. That said, NB.1.8.1 is genetically still within the same broad lineage of covid-19 viruses that first began with Omicron in late 2021. That means it's very unlikely to spark the sort of massive outbreaks that Omicron initially did when it arrived. The WHO also hasn't found any evidence yet that NB.1.8.1 is causing any more severe illness than current variants. 'Evaluation of…the most recently designated VUM, NB.1.8.1, suggests no increased public health risk posed by these variants compared to other circulating variants,' the WHO stated in its report. But covid-19 itself still poses a very real public health problem, even if its overall danger has significantly declined since 2022. From October 2024 through May 2025, covid-19 is estimated to have killed between 30,000 and 50,000 Americans and hospitalized up to 430,000 people, a burden on par with the average flu season. And the recent emergence of NB.1.8.1 could certainly fuel a new peak of cases in the U.S. and elsewhere, just in time for summer. Adding to the danger is rock-bottom vaccination rates as of late, even among older adults who are most vulnerable to severe illness. According to the WHO, just 1.68% of older adults across 75 countries received a booster covid-19 shot in 2024. While the original covid-19 vaccines continue to ensure a lower risk of death and severe illness from covid-19, booster doses further reduce this risk. And the situation in the U.S. isn't looking to get better anytime soon. Under the reign of HHS chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long spread misinformation about vaccine safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed its recommendation that pregnant women and young children receive covid-19 vaccines, for instance. Trump-era health officials have also signaled their plans to only recommend covid-19 vaccines for older Americans in general, and the new regime has already impeded the development of newer, possibly more effective vaccines for both flu and covid-19. While covid-19 is no longer the world-shaking threat it once was, it isn't gone, and variants like NB.1.8.1 could soon painfully teach us that lesson again. 'As per the latest WHO global risk assessment, covering the period July-December 2024, the global public health risk associated with COVID-19 remains high,' the WHO said in its report.
Sustainability Times
10-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Fusion Breakthrough After 70 Years': U.S. Scientists Finally Crack Critical Energy Puzzle in Historic Nuclear Milestone
IN A NUTSHELL 💡 Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough : Scientists solve a 70-year-old problem, accelerating the path to clean energy. : Scientists solve a 70-year-old problem, accelerating the path to clean energy. 🔍 Symmetry Theory Approach : New method allows for faster and more accurate design of magnetic confinement systems. : New method allows for faster and more accurate design of magnetic confinement systems. 🌍 Environmental Impact : Fusion technology promises abundant energy without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste. : Fusion technology promises abundant energy without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste. ⚙️ Engineering Innovation: Advances in reactor design could transform global energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Nuclear fusion has long been hailed as the holy grail of energy production, promising a future of clean, limitless power without the environmental drawbacks associated with fossil fuels. The pursuit of this breakthrough, however, has been marred by numerous technical challenges that have stymied progress for decades. Recently, scientists in the United States made a monumental leap by solving a 70-year-old problem in nuclear fusion research, a breakthrough that could drastically accelerate the development of fusion energy. This article explores the intricacies of this achievement and its potential implications for the future. Understanding the Challenge in Nuclear Fusion To achieve nuclear fusion, scientists must replicate the extreme conditions found within stars, where isotopes of hydrogen are heated to temperatures surpassing those on the Sun's surface. In these conditions, hydrogen exists in a state called plasma, which allows the isotopes to fuse, forming helium and releasing vast amounts of energy. However, this high-energy plasma must be contained within the reactor walls to sustain the fusion process. The escape of alpha particles from the plasma has been a significant challenge, as it causes the plasma to cool and lose the density required for sustained energy production. Traditional methods of containing the plasma involve sophisticated magnetic confinement systems, designed to act as a 'magnetic bottle' to prevent particle leakage. Unfortunately, these systems often have flaws—holes in the magnetic field—that allow alpha particles to escape. Predicting and preventing these breaches has been a painstakingly slow and computationally expensive process, requiring extensive simulations and trial-and-error adjustments. Despite these challenges, the potential for clean energy has driven researchers to continue their pursuit of viable solutions. Scientists Create Extremely Heavy Hydrogen Isotope Using Electron Beams in a Historic First That Redefines Atomic Research When Newton's Laws Can't Help Nuclear Fusion Engineers have long relied on Newton's Laws of Motion to predict the behavior of particles within fusion reactors. While theoretically sound, this approach demands extensive computational resources and time, rendering it impractical for designing complex systems like stellarators. The alternative, perturbation theory, offers a simpler but less precise model, leading to slower advancements in reactor design. The inefficiency of these methods has been a significant bottleneck in the development of fusion technology. The need for a more efficient solution sparked collaboration among researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Type One Energy Group. Together, they sought to overcome the limitations of existing models and develop a new approach that would streamline the design process for magnetic confinement systems, ultimately paving the way for more rapid advancements in nuclear fusion technology. Missouri Unleashes Nuclear Shockwave: Building America's Most Powerful University Reactor to Stun the Nation and Redefine Campus Research Power The Symmetry Theory Approach The breakthrough came in the form of a symmetry theory approach, a novel method that allows engineers to design magnetic confinement systems 10 times faster than traditional methods. This approach maintains the accuracy of Newton's laws while eliminating the computational burden associated with them. Remarkably, it applies to both stellarators and tokamaks, the latter being another popular type of fusion reactor facing similar challenges with electron escape. Josh Burby, the assistant professor leading the research, expressed excitement over solving a problem that has long plagued the field. By addressing the gaps in magnetic fields that allow particles to escape, the symmetry theory approach represents a paradigm shift in reactor design. This newfound efficiency not only accelerates the development of fusion technology but also brings us closer to realizing a future powered by clean, sustainable energy. 'Earthquakes Mask Nuclear Blasts': Alarming US Study Reveals These Ground-Shaking Threats in Their Hidden Underground Havens The Implications of a Fusion-Powered Future With the potential to revolutionize energy production, nuclear fusion technology promises a future free from the environmental and safety concerns of current energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion does not emit planet-warming gases or produce long-lived radioactive waste. The successful implementation of fusion energy could significantly reduce our reliance on oil, coal, and natural gas, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Moreover, fusion's inherent safety features, such as the inability to sustain a runaway reaction, make it a desirable alternative to nuclear fission. As the new symmetry theory approach accelerates the development of fusion reactors, we edge closer to a breakthrough that could transform our energy landscape. This technological leap could not only ensure energy security but also provide an abundant, clean power source for generations to come. As scientists continue to refine and implement these groundbreaking advancements, the question remains: how soon will we witness the dawn of a fusion-powered world, and what challenges will we face in adapting to this new energy paradigm? Did you like it? 4.6/5 (30)
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘Style influencer': Aussie drumming ‘king' dies aged 71
Revered Australian musician James Baker, drummer for bands including the Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Scientists and other rock groups, has died. Baker died at his home in Perth on Monday. He was 71. Music scribes have described him as a key figure in the evolution of punk and rock music in Western Australia, and he was lauded in a press statement as 'King of the Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and Australia's Garage Guru'. He was inducted into the WA Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. 'With a CV that reads like a who's who of Australian rock 'n' roll greatness ... James was also a genuine tastemaker and style influencer,' his reps said. 'He was a man who loved rock 'n' roll, and who shared that love with everybody. And he was loved. He was so loved.' The Hoodoo Gurus, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, shared a picture of Baker on the drums to mark his passing. Born in Perth in 1954, Baker bought his first drum kit as a teen and was a member of short-lived bans Black Sun and the Slick City Boys. He travelled to the US and England in 1976 where he placed himself 'in the thick of punk's early days'. 'It was a perfect time to go there,' Baker told The West Australian. 'Six months before that, I wouldn't have seen much. Six months after, it was almost all over.' Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Ramones, Sex Pistols and the Clash, he returned to Australia inspired to launch The Geeks, which later became the Victims. James Baker, pictured performing in Melbourne in 2023, has died. Credit: Martin Philbey / WireImage Baker had been living with terminal liver cancer for a decade. Despite his health battles, he continued to perform, write and record music. He released a solo album called Born to Rock in March 2024, and contributed his talents to several bands. 'I think rock was always what I was meant to do,' he told The West. 'It's not the easiest path but I've had a blast and that will be my way till the very last.' Baker is survived by his wife, Cathy, sister Barbara, two daughters and a grandson who is due this month.
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Hoodoo Gurus drummer and big beat ‘king' James Baker dies aged 71
Revered Australian musician James Baker, drummer for bands including the Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Scientists and other rock groups, has died. Baker died at his home in Perth on Monday. He was 71. Music scribes have described him as a key figure in the evolution of punk and rock music in Western Australia, and he was lauded in a press statement as 'King of the Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and Australia's Garage Guru'. He was inducted into the WA Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. 'With a CV that reads like a who's who of Australian rock 'n' roll greatness ... James was also a genuine tastemaker and style influencer,' his reps said. 'He was a man who loved rock 'n' roll, and who shared that love with everybody. And he was loved. He was so loved.' The Hoodoo Gurus, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, shared a picture of Baker on the drums to mark his passing. Born in Perth in 1954, Baker bought his first drum kit as a teen and was a member of short-lived bans Black Sun and the Slick City Boys. He travelled to the US and England in 1976 where he placed himself 'in the thick of punk's early days'. 'It was a perfect time to go there,' Baker told The West Australian. 'Six months before that, I wouldn't have seen much. Six months after, it was almost all over.' Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Ramones, Sex Pistols and the Clash, he returned to Australia inspired to launch The Geeks, which later became the Victims. Baker had been living with terminal liver cancer for a decade. Despite his health battles, he continued to perform, write and record music. He released a solo album called Born to Rock in March 2024, and contributed his talents to several bands. 'I think rock was always what I was meant to do,' he told The West. 'It's not the easiest path but I've had a blast and that will be my way till the very last.' Baker is survived by his wife, Cathy, sister Barbara, two daughters and a grandson who is due this month.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
James Baker dies aged 71: the big beat behind some of Australia's most influential garage-rock
J ames Baker was, as the title of his last solo release declared, Born to Rock. The musician, who died on Monday night aged 71, was the big beat behind the drums for a long list of influential Australian garage-rock bands including Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, the Scientists, the Dubrovniks and the Victims. His impact went deeper than the many much-mythologised records he played on. With his Brian Jones-via-Ramones bowl cut, which he wore to the end, Baker was a one-man totem of style. The drummer played an important role in bringing the look and attitude of punk to Australia, after he flew to New York then London in 1976 to check out the burgeoning scene for himself. He thus became one of the few Australians to see the era's key bands for himself. One night, after a gig by the Damned, he found himself in conversation with Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. They told him their new group, the Clash, were looking for a drummer. It would be the only time Baker's nerve failed him and he failed to take up the offer. But he flew home to Perth brimful of ideas and became central to the punk scene that formed in one of the most isolated cities on the planet. Baker first joined a band called the Geeks (AKA the Beheaded), then co-founded two seminal groups: the Victims, with Dave Faulkner, and the Scientists, with Kim Salmon. Both bands cut singles that remain cult classics of Australian music. The Victims' Television Addict (1977) sees Faulkner – then known as Dave Flick – ridiculing the notion that exposure to 'too much sex and too much violence on the idiot box' might cause a young boy to act out such TV screen fantasies in real life. Behind him, Baker's Ringo-inspired drumming was like a caveman stomp – so basic he might as well have been playing with a couple of bare bones. After the Victims broke up, Baker joined Salmon in the Scientists. They cut a single, an EP and self-titled album (making an unlikely appearance on Countdown) before breaking up in 1981. But Baker stayed involved with both songwriters as all three moved east to Sydney. There they would play major roles in the post-Radio Birdman garage-rock explosion centred around the Strawberry Hills and Hopetoun hotels, and later the Trade Union Club. While Salmon retooled a new version of the Scientists, Baker teamed up again with Faulkner in the band originally known as Le Hoodoo Gurus with another ex-Scientist, Rod Radalj, and the future film director Kimble Rendall (Rendall's death was announced on 21 April). The band's first single, Leilani, was introduced by Baker's whomping tribal beat, which clearly referenced Suzi Quatro's song Can the Can. Baker's glam-and-garage drumming is key to the sound of the Gurus' 1984 album Stoneage Romeos, one of the most celebrated debuts in Australian music history. After the album's recording, he was dismissed. The band's then manager, Stuart Coupe, delivered the bad news; he later wrote in his memoir Shake Some Action that 'with [Baker's] departure went a big part of the spirit and soul of what made them great in the first place'. While such a statement is arguably unfair on the rest of the Gurus, especially Baker's replacement (the long-serving Mark Kingsmill), it reflects a commonly held opinion among fans at the time. Baker was loved for his looks, his irrepressible enthusiasm and insouciance, more than his musicianship – to many, he personified the group's early cartoonish image. But the Gurus were growing up, a US tour beckoned – and Baker was left behind. Baker in 2024 By this point he was moonlighting in Beasts of Bourbon with Salmon, along with yet another ex-Scientist, Boris Sujdovic, the Johnnys' Spencer P Jones and Tex Perkins. Indeed, that band had already made their own legendary debut album, The Axeman's Jazz, with the producer Tony Cohen. The album was cut in a single eight-hour session, fuelled by VB and amphetamines; it boasted the enduring Salmon/Baker composition Drop Out. Three albums with Beasts of Bourbon followed before Baker and Sujdovic defected to form the Dubrovniks with Rod Radalj (by this point, Radalj had played in early versions of the Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus and the Johnnys, with writing credits on many early songs). Baker also had the first release on Sydney's Red Eye Records, a novelty tribute to his beloved New York Dolls titled Born to Be Punched. Baker was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame, as a member of Hoodoo Gurus, in 2007. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2015, which he fought doggedly and well past expectations of survival. He couldn't be kept off stage. After reconciling with Faulkner, he toured with the Victims and was a rapturously received special guest when the Gurus' 40th anniversary celebration of Stoneage Romeos rolled through Perth. Despite his illness, playing in a rock'n'roll band seemed to be good for Baker. In his last year he released Born to Rock with a new band, the Groundbreakers, and an album, Ultimo, with the rebadged Beasts. It featured one more co-write with Salmon, The Ballad of the Battle of Rock'n'Roll. Baker's final appearance was a single with the Stems' Dom Mariani, Friday Night Friend, released in January. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, daughters Lorna and Faye, sister Barbara and his unborn grandson, due in two weeks.
